Editors' Review

With more game options than a Vegas card room and plenty of help files through which to shuffle, this free program is a must-have for solitaire card sharks. Installation is fast, safe, and nag-screen free. A main menu lets you easily scroll through the 12 game options. Each game is rated in terms of difficulty and skill level, and even outlines how many decks are used and your chances of actually winning the game. Time played and game score is kept in the upper right-hand corner of the main game screen. One of the best features (aside from its great list of games, of course) of 123 Free Solitaire 2006 is its detailed help files. Clearly written, each file outlines how to play the game and even gives definitions of words that might be unfamiliar. We especially like the occasional "strategy" hint link, which gives you a secret clue to playing a game better. Cards scrape and slap on the desktop "table," yet if you're sneaking a game at work, the sound can be muted. You also can customize the card design and tabletop to your liking--choices for cards include cartoon snowmen to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, while bold background patterns or colors can be swapped whenever you choose. While game statistics and redo/undo are features only available in the developer's paid version, they're not critical items. Overall, 123 Free Solitaire 2006 should be a welcome diversion for card sharks and newbies alike--now if we could only quit playing and get back to work.

123 Free Solitaire 2009 - v. 7.0 includes the Ribbon, a graphical user interface composed of a strip across the top of the main playing area. Ribbon interface is a part of the new Microsoft Fluent User Interface that replaces the menus and toolbars used until the version 2008 of 123 Free Solitaire. The Ribbon is a way to enhance usability by consolidating related commands so that they are easier to find. Commands are organized into groups and related groups are organized on tabs. One need not lo...
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Has the attractive Ribbon interface that I like , makes it easy to work the program, cards are good on the eyes, suitable for netbooks.

Cons

I cant find away to turn off that annoying newsletter prompt every now and then, small trade off for a free program I suppose.

Summary

Im happy with this program. It works wonders any way you play these games. It does not contain too many games, but includes the common ones that an every day user of a computer would play. I appreciate the customizable colors , backgrounds and selection of card backings. Its more of an attractive game of solitaire then the one that came with Windows XP, in fact I have replaced it with this game and removed the games that came with Windows from the control panel. This is one card game thats safe for the whole family to play and does not contain spyware or adware like some of the free solitaire choices out there on the internet for download. Get it! Give it to your friends. Install it on every computer in your house (and install it on WINE too since it works great with this game)

Hi Cari4,
If you need more complex solitaire games to play, you can download SolSuite 2010.
It is available here at CNet's Download.com:
http://download.cnet.com/SolSuite-Solitaire-2010/3000-18527_4-10018763.html
Thank you for your review.
Ted
TreeCardGames

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Full Specifications

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What's new in version 7.0

123 Free Solitaire 2009 - v. 7.0 includes the Ribbon, a graphical user interface composed of a strip across the top of the main playing area. Ribbon interface is a part of the new Microsoft Fluent User Interface that replaces the menus and toolbars used until the version 2008 of 123 Free Solitaire. The Ribbon is a way to enhance usability by consolidating related commands so that they are easier to find. Commands are organized into groups and related groups are organized on tabs. One need not look through multiple levels of hierarchical menus.
123 Free Solitaire 2009 has a new "standard" card size, which is much larger than previous versions. Numbers and suits are easier to see, and images show richer, more enhanced details. The new auto-sizing feature will adapt the cards to any screen resolution, from 640x480 to 1920x1200 pixels and higher.
123 Free Solitaire 2009 features new card backs and new full-screen backgrounds.